Background and general roles of IHDP Scientific Committee members

The International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP) is an international, interdisciplinary science programme dedicated to promoting, catalysing and coordinating research, capacity development and networking on the human dimensions of global environmental change. Its mandate is to provide international leadership in framing, developing and integrating social science research on global environmental change and to promote the application of its key findings (for further information see http://www.ihdp.unu.edu/ ).

The IHDP Scientific Committee (SC) represents a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, professional backgrounds and nationalities. It develops and prioritizes plans for the Programme, guides implementation and supports the publication and dissemination of results. It promotes the coordination of national, regional and international activities that contribute to the implementation of the IHDP Strategic Plan 2007-2015 and the IHDP Programme of work 2011-2013. Furthermore, it works closely with the other global programmes within the Earth System Science partnership (ESSP), i.e. WCRP, IGBP and Diversitas, and facilitates collaboration with related programmes of IHDP’s institutional sponsors ISSC, ICSU, and UNU.

Members of the IHDP SC serve in their personal capacity. Candidates are selected based on their standing in the international scientific community with due regard for regional, gender and disciplinary balance. The terms of SC members are three years, renewable once. IHDP SC meetings take place at least once in each calendar year. Based on the recommendations of the IHDP, ISSC, ICSU, and UNU appoint IHDP’s SC members.

Concrete tasks of IHDP's SC members include:

• Provide scientific knowledge and advice from their field of expertise as it relates to IHDP goals

• Attend the annual SC meeting

• Encourage new and maintain existing multidisciplinary networks of dedicated scientists related to IHDP’s work

• Host and/or support IHDP workshops and coordinate own IHDP activities

• Represent IHDP at relevant scientific and user community meetings and act as IHDP “ambassadors”

• Support the IHDP core research projects and the Secretariat in editing newsletters or journal issues and contribute written reports on relevant events to be published in relevant media, e.g. on the IHDP website

• Provide a two-way channel of communication between the SC and national, regional and international research and science user communities

• Inform the IHDP SC, the Secretariat and, as appropriate, National Committees/Contacts, of actions directly or indirectly related to IHDP, e.g. during SC meetings

• Assist in securing financial and other support for the implementation of the IHDP Strategic Plan 2007-2015 and the IHDP Programme of Work 2011-2013.

Note: Applicants should be aware that an active role at the IHDP SC requires a certain and flexible time commitment, but will be mutually beneficial for both the candidate and the Programme.

Application procedure

Nominations to the IHDP SC can be made by individuals or by the IHDP itself. All nominations are considered by IHDP. Based on its recommendations, ISSC, ICSU, and UNU appoint IHDP’s SC members. To be nominated, the candidate should send the following items (as Word files) by e-mail to the IHDP Secretariat ( secretariat@ihdp.unu.edu , reference: IHDP SC nomination):

• A cover letter addressed to the IHDP SC Chairperson, stating the nominee’s vision for IHDP, their aspired role and concrete plans as an IHDP SC Member

• The nominee's summary CV

• A list of publications in the relevant research areas (max. 3 pages)

Application deadline

The next deadline is 15 May, 2011.

Start of membership

IHDP is currently looking for candidates willing to start in fall 2011.

Discipline requirements

The ideal candidates have a scientific background and experience in either anthropology, behavioural sciences/economics or sociology.